Vizquel tests Rockies with his bunting skills

Bunting is usually only cool on Opening Day and the playoffs, draped over the upper-deck façade. But Tuesday, bunting became exciting because of fielding and a sense of humor. In the third inning, Omar Vizquel bunted toward Franklin Morales. The rookie flipped the ball with his glove to Todd Helton, who remarkably snared the ball barehanded for the out. In the fifth, Vizquel bunted to Helton to move a runner to third base. But rather than allow Helton to tag him out, Vizquel backpedaled to home plate and into the dugout, drawing a laugh from Barry Bonds.LET’S GET IT STARTED: The Rockies aren’t planning to skip Morales in the rotation because of off days, but pitching coach Bob Apodaca said he would adjust the schedule to create better matchups in some instances. That would likely involve Jeff Francis and, upon his return, Aaron Cook.

FAN INTERFERENCE: In the bottom of the fifth inning, a female fan ran onto the field in an attempt to hug Bonds. Security ushered her away. On Tuesday, a fan sprinted from center field to near the Rockies dugout before he was snagged by his shirt collar.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.